Day Two Hundred Ninety Eight 2013

This was the best day EVER for granddaughter Shelby. After nine years of wearing glasses, she got contact lenses today. I know you can’t see them in this picture. But you can see how ecstatic she was to finally be rid of her glasses. She’s a gorgeous young lady, with or without the glasses, but now everyone can see just how beautiful those blue eyes really are. Congratulations, Shelby! I’m so happy for you!!

Day Two Hundred Sixty One 2013

When her dad bought a new cell phone, granddaughter Shelby got his old one. She’s very happy happy happy about this sudden good fortune, to say the least. These days it’s not such a bad idea for your child to have a cell phone. It’s a great way to stay connected. See, she’s got the hang of it already ~ she can hold onto her Nutty Buddy ice cream cone and work a cell phone at the same time. I'm glad for you, Shelby! So call me, maybe.

Day Two Hundred Thirty Five 2013

My beautiful granddaughter Shelby, who is in 7th grade this year, was chosen to be on the yearbook staff. She had to sign up to do this and petition three teachers to recommend her. She found out her good news today and is very excited to say the least. I know she’ll be good at this. She already has a good eye as a photographer, so she’s looking forward to that part of it. Congratulations, Shelby! I am so proud of you!!  Happy TGIF, everyone.

Day Two Hundred Twenty Four 2013

Granddaughter Shelby is in 7th grade this year. School started a couple of weeks ago. She usually gets her homework done at school. She didn’t get to finish it today, so her backpack was full of heavy textbooks, plus her notebook folder and other stuff. Her load was so heavy that she decided to weigh it on the bathroom scales. The grand total was 16 and a half pounds. That is heavy, even for me, and I’m much bigger than she is. It’s no wonder that these heavy loads are starting to effect her spine. The doc noticed at her latest physical exam last week that she’s become a bit crooked. Of course, she’s been urged to wear her backpack centered on her back and not try to carry it on one shoulder. And maybe one day the school system here can afford to issue each child some kind of tablet such as an iPad so their textbooks can be downloaded onto that one lightweight device instead of onto those kid-sized spines. Keep calm and carry on, Shelby. Just be careful while you carry on.

Day Two Hundred One 2013

SHELBY’S 12TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Granddaughter Shelby turned 12 on July 18 and celebrated her birthday today at home with family.

Happy Face. Happy Shelby!

Granddaughter Shelby and grandson Elijah cozy up for a brother/sister portrait.

Having a summertime birthday means dad rents an awesome water slide to enjoy.

Birthday Girl

Blowing out those candles after the Birthday Song

Opening presents may be the best part [the birthday hat makes it even more fun]

Lots of presents

Daughter Holly, grandson Elijah, granddaughter Shelby and son in law Jerry gave a fun party. Happy Birthday, Shelby! Love you so much!

Day One Hundred Ninety Nine 2013

HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY, SHELBY!


She is simply the best granddaughter anyone could ever have. Sweet. Funny. Smart. Beautiful inside and out. Shelby turned 12 years old today. She is always excited about her special day every year. Today’s plans didn’t turn out so well, though. Her mom took the day off, and she and Shelby were going to spend the day together shopping while little brother Elijah went fishing with his grandpa. But her mom got called back into work unexpectedly and ended up having to work very late into the evening. So all her birthday plans had to be postponed until tomorrow. Very disappointing, but she didn’t complain. She’s just a good kid that way. She and I went shopping this afternoon while the guys fished and she used some of her birthday money to buy some really cute clothes. So maybe her day wasn’t a total bust, and she does have her party with family to look forward to this weekend. Happy Birthday, Shelby! I love you more than you’ll ever know. You’re the best!

Day One Hundred Seventy Seven 2013

Granddaughter Shelby and grandson Elijah spent the day with me today. We finally took a break from veg'ing out and headed to one of our favorite sweet shops for yummy doughnuts. This may have been the highlight of our whole day. It’s Summer, so we’re allowed.

Day One Hundred Forty One 2013

SCHOOL’S OUT!

I am crazy proud of these two. Grandson Elijah has all A’s for the school year. Shelby has all A’s for the school year, minus one. Math tripped her up a bit this year, but that’s OK. When I was their ages, I would have been thrilled with these grades. They’ll be moving on up come the end of July ~ Shelby to 7th grade and Elijah to 2nd grade. Oh, how time flies! But for now, school’s out for summer. Time to relax and have some fun and look forward to that beach trip coming at them in June. So proud of you both! Love you!

Day Three Hundred Fifty One 2012

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!

My daughter Holly celebrated her 34th birthday today. Here she was at the age of one, sitting on her Grandpa Ranft’s lap. They were pretty good buddies, and I know she’ll appreciate this picture because we were just remembering him today and how he always unclipped his clip on tie and hung it from the front of his shirt when he was done with it.

Happy birthday, dear daughter Holly! So hard to believe our Christmas baby is 34 years old. We wish you all the best of everything today and always. We love you more than you will ever know.

Day Two Hundred 2012

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY, SHELBY!!!

‘From a little girl so very small, how and when did you get so tall?’ ~Karen Mortensen
My totally awesome granddaughter, Shelby Grace, is celebrating her 11th birthday today. She is smart, funny, sweet, gorgeous, and I’m so thankful that she is in my life! Happy Birthday, Shelby! Granny and Grandpa love you so much!!